A PLAIN DUTY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9871, 17 January 1918, Page 6

A PLAIN DUTY

ARE THE SLUMS TO GO 7 INTERVIEW WITH THE MAYOR. Aluch attention has been riveted of late on the question of Wellington’s congested or “slum” areas, and those who are able to look ahead and realise the possibilities of the city cannot fail to recognise the importance of grappling with the evil. Probably Wellington is no worse off than other cities, but to stress this as an excuse for procrastination would not be worthy 1 of any public body which lias an eye to public development. This view is held by the Alayor (Mr J. P. Luke, C.M.G.), who, in tho course of an interesting interview with a “Times” reporter, made some pointed remarks in reference to the question under review. DEFINITION OF “SLUM.” “In respect to those very interesting articles which have been published in the ‘Times.’ ” said Air Luke, “with regard to congested residential areas, I would like to sav first of all that the expression 'slum’ is hardly in keeping with the position. Anyone who has seen the real alums in other countries—particularly in Europe—would not, assess the areas we have in Wellington, regrettable’as they are, to be likened to similar ones in other countries. My mind now reverts to a number of social reformers who h-av© visited New Zealand and who, after visiting the areas that formed the basis ,of your articles, stated that conditions in this city wer© not to be compared with the slums in the Old Lamfi. They also stated that while we in' this land had much ahead, of us in the way of removing evils, it could not be stated that wo had slums here. Ido not at all deny , that some of the private surroundings may approximate some of the conditions existing in the Old Country and that tho circumstances of some of the people are exceedingly unfortunate. The articles were most interesting, and I am sure they will enthuse the people in- the direction of remedying things as soon as possible. The evils we are dealing with in Wellington—if they are called evils—are net the work of recent years, but unfortunately in laying out the city originally the limited amount of land ,—a mere fringe at the foot of the hills —created congestion which would not have obtained in other places whore more land is available. The Te Aro flat was largely swamp water and the city only developed up ion the drier and more, fortunate areas. CONTBiIBUTOR-Y CAUSES.' “One of the contributory factors to the crowding in,” continued Mr Luke, “was the lack, of transport facilities, which; ho doubt, caused the crowdingin of the houses of the working classes. Lack of vision in regard to by-laws and the necessity of wide streets and larger occupation area was another big contributing factor. Of course it is very easy to judge the actions of the earlygoverning : authorities, but /their vision then did not indicate th© importance the city has reached and tho tremendous possibilities ahead of us. I am ' distihotN'“soiTv " for the number of families that are forced to live in these localities which the articles dealt with. I know that a great number of residents in these streets rank as very desirable citizens, and it is extremely unfortunate that these families should have* to be brought up in conditions that are continually fighting tho disadvantages in which the people are placed by having their homes surrounded‘by some of tho vilest features oi city life. • SOCIAL REFORM. “To my mind,” the Alayor went on, “social reform must rank as much a matter of efficiency as any system of general ■or municipal government. That people should be comfortably housed is just as essential as having suitable and ample , food. Where there is a lack of good conditions the. home life naturally must bo inefficient and conducive to disease and unhappiness.: Before further dealing with this question I would like to say that notwithstanding anything that has been said in the articies the municipal by-laws in connection with sanitation are as honestly performed in these poorer localities as in the best established homes.” WHAT CAN ,BE DONE.

Coming to the responsibility of the governing authority Mr Luke said that the greatest problem next to the four essential service—-water, drainage, transit and light—was the remodelling of the congested areas. ■ Now ample powers would have to be conferred upon the City Council to deal with this important undertaking. They had just received news that in the Old Country they are going to build 1,000,000 homes for the workers. If it was important to carry out that great scheme it was to a' great measure as important in this country. The proposal in the Old Country would mean about one house for every forty of the population. “Now, supposing we eonfino ourselves to the building of 500 homes to replace homes already in occupation, It would cost £250,000. Assuming that the normal rate of interest had heeh reached it would enable them to borrow money at 4 per cent., with 1 per cent, sinking fund. Houses could be let for ,13s 0d to 14s per week, and that would provide interest a,nd sinking fund and £lO per annum for each property for rates and depreciation. The total cost—£3so,oo(>—would bo spread over some time. Houses would become occupied and an increase in rent would be accrued as further dwellings were being made available. The charges on the original fund would be thereby reduced. On the expenditure side moneys, of course, would he, required for re-road-ing and adjustments.” Mr Luke pointed out that the rent roll of the city was about £38,000 per annum, which indicated that the enterprising scheme of remodelling the congested areas and providing dwellings that would conform with the requirements or complete and extend tho happiness of the occupants was a scheme that could be faithfully carried out and honestly financed. He wished to make it plain that any scheme the council might adopt in the future would not have the effect of stifling private enterprise in any way. The council’s scheme would he in the direction of replacing undesirable houses, not erecting additional buildings or in any -way competing with the building trade.